Time cycle controller



May 5, 1953 J. R. DAVIDSON 2,637,835

TIME CYCLE CONTROLLER Filed Dec. 8, 1951 2 Sl-IEETSSHEET 1 FIG. 3

POWER POWER OUTPUT SUPPLY SUPPLY INVENTOR. JAMES R. DAVIDSON I BY 19 64,41 POWER F'IG.5 OUTPUT M4 153 SUPPLY y 1953 J. R. DAVIDSON 2,637,835

- TIME CYCLE CONTROLLER Filed D90. 8, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FIG. IO.

L 14 INVENTOR. JAMES R. DAVIDSON BY ,8 WW FIG.9. AT bRNEY Patented May 5, 1953 'Uiiil'i'ED STATES *PA'TENT YQFFIC TIME CYCLE CONTROLLER James Davidson, :Roches'ter, 1N. $5., assignor :to Taylor InstrumentCompanies,'R'uchcsterfiN. Y., a corporation of.-New York Application December 8, 1951,Seriail"l\lo."26ii;751

12 Claims.

This invention relates to time cycle controllers and-to timing devices.

In many industrial processes it is necessary to control the sequence and durationof aseries of stepsor operations involved therein. In order to 'efiect this result, it is the practice to utilize a device known as a time cycle controller. Since the duration of the various steps-or operations vary widely with different types of products, it is necessary that the controller be readily set by simple adjustments sothat the processoperations can-be quickly changed at will. Sucha controller must be reliable in operation sincethe failure of the controller to establish the predetermined sequence and to measure accurately theduration-of the several operations will result in :defective products. Furthermore, the controller should be of simple construction so that it can be easily repaired since it is usually employed in connection "with an'expensive machine which'is usually put out of service if the controller fails.

"One purposeof the present invention is the production of a compact time cycle controller which the number of possible control steps can 'be'greatly increased over the:number available in prior controllers of this type.

A further purpose of this invention is the production'of a simple and compact'time cycle controller in which the duration of each step thereof can be readily adjusted to any desired value with no efiect upon the duration of any other step.

Another purpose of the invention isthe :pro-

duction of a timing device suitable for the generation'of control impulsesat selectively spaced intervals.

Various features and advantages ofthe invention will appear from the detailed description and claims when taken with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a 'fragmentary front elevation of the time cycle controller;

Fig.2 is a fragmentary side elevation ofmhe present controller with the driving motor and'its gear train omitted for simplicity in disclosure;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating how the driving motor and the interval motor are alternately operated;

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic showings of modified'forms of the invention;

Figs. 6 and? are front and si'deelevations-ofa modified form of the invention while Fig. 8 is a diagram of an electrical circuit for use therewith; and

Fig. 9 illustrates a further modified 'formof the inventionand'Fig. 10 is a diagram of an. electri- '-cal circuit to operate the same.

ing interval.

"described which circuit can be interrupted for predetermined intervals so that the cam drum can beheld in'a givenposition to measure a given time period. The electric circuit for the driving motor 9 is controlled by switching means :gov-

erned jointly by indexing -mechanism andzby .an

interval measuring motor l l.

The indexing mechanism comprises an 'index "disc I 2 :mounted-on or driven .from thessha'ft B for rotation therewith. Thisdisc has holestherethrough located near-itsperiphery. It willab understood that the number of holes 'intheiindex :disc :will correspond with the maximum number 41f l s tobecontrolled in any given. cycle. The

holes in the index :disc, receive indexing spins :l3,

lth'enu'mber of Which-is determined by'the number o'f stcpsinagiven cycle. The index pins extend parallel :to rthelshaftfi and project to th'e'rightpi theindexingrdisc [2 (Fig. .1) for adistance corresponding to a desired duration ofathe interrupt- When .a given pin has been :ad- .justed, it is locked in adjusted position by-a set screw [5. An .armilii flexibly mounted on the wall "of a sensitive snap-acting'switch l1! cooperates withany'oneof the pins it, to determine the period that=thecam shaft iii-shall remain at a given step. As longas the arm i6 is in engagement with a pin [3, the switch interrupts-the driving circuit of the driving motorfi, to stop-this motor. At the same time, the switch! l closes an operating circuit for the interval measuring .motorz'l I. Thisrmotor must be of suchiatype that itmay berotated freely in a-counter clockwisedi- .rection when not-driving in the clockwise direcion, or a'separate clutch mustbe provided to'aczcomplishrthis. Underthe control of this circuit,

the motor! I rotates the switch I l and itsarm 1-6 in ayclockwise direction (Fig. 1) along agiven pin1l'3..until thisarm drops off of the endof this pinzwhereuponthe spring lfiireturns the switch to the position shown in'Figs. 1 and 3. -When .thearm lfidrops from theend of a pin .13, the switchzl'l, closes the driving circuit of the motor .19, which rotates-the index disc I 2 inthe. direction present invention, can provide a large number of time steps, limited only by the number of pins 13 that can project from the index disc l2 and the interval of each step is readily predetermined by adjusting the length of the portion of its pin l3 that projects from the disc 12.

It will also be appreciated that the timer of the present invention, while specifically devised to operate in conjunction with a cam shaft or similar device for controlling a succession of operations in proper sequence, can also be used without the cam shaft to provide a succession of independently timed pulses or signals, as shown in the circuit diagram of Fig. 4. In this modified form of the invention, drum 5 and units U are omitted and a device (not shown) operated by the timer can receive its impulse over the output circuit from the switch H which operates the motors, either directly or indirectly. The

modified wiring diagram of Fig. 4 is similar to that shown in Fig. 3 except that the modified arrangement shows how power connections can be made to an output circuit which can op- .erate an external device or relay (not shown).

In this arrangement, the output circuit will transmit a short pulse of current each time that motor 9 operates, the time between pulses being determined by the setting of the respective indexing pins.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 5. Here the output circuit can transmit to an external device or relay (not shown) a pulse of current from the timer during the timing period determined by a given pin, at which time motor H is running. Provision is made here for starting each such timed pulse of current at will through a switch 24 which may be operated automatically (by means not shown) or manually. A relay 23 having an energizing coil 23, closes its contacts 2| when switch 24 is closed momentarily. Current flowing through contacts 21, operates motor 9 to drive the indexing disc and also to energize coil 23 to hold relay operated. When the next pin 13 engages switch i'i this circuit is broken, motor 9 stops, relay 23 is de-energized to release contacts 2i. Thus when the next timing period is completed and switch ll returns to the position illustrated no current will flow until switch 24 is again closed.

A further modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 when taken with the circuit diagram of Fig.8. In these figures, the parts similar to those of Figs. 1 and 2 are identified by the same reference numerals but in this instance these numerals are primed. In this modification, a single synchronous motor 9 in cooperation with the direct acting clutch 3B and the reverse acting clutch 3|, alternately rotates the disc !2 under the control of clutch 30 until the arm or actuator [6' of the switch 11', engages a succeeding pin 13', whereupon the clutch 30 is disengaged to stop the rotation of the disc l2, and the clutch 3| is engaged to swing the arm it carried on the pivoted switch 'ries a gear 3?.

4 o H, along the succeeding pin. The solenoid 33 is operated under the control of switch ll" to repeat these two steps.

In this modification the shaft 34 of motor 9, has mounted thereon a gear 35 and one of the plates of the clutch 30. The other plate of the clutch 30 is mounted on a shaft 38 which car- This gear meshes with the gear I to drive the disc l2. The gear 35 meshes with a gear 38 mounted on the shaft 33. This shaft, operating through worm 4-0 and cooperating gear 4!, drives the stub shaft 42. Shaft 42 at its left end (Fig. '7), carries one plate of clutch 3|. The other plate of this clutch 3| is carried onthe right end (Fig. 7) of the endwise sliding rotatable shaft 43 on which the switch H is mounted to swing its arm [6 along one of the pins In the operation of this last-mentioned modification, the motor 3 is continuously rotated while the controller is in use, the motor being included in a circuit (Fig. 8) from one side Ll of the power supply to the other side L2 thereof. As shown in Fig. '7, it is assumed that the arm I6 is against a pin l3 so that the switch ll is open as indicated by its dotted line position in Fig. 8. At this time, solenoids 33 and 33a are both deenergized. Consequently, the clutch plates 33 will be disengaged to stop the disc 12, and the clutch plates 3i will be engaged to swing the switch I? and its arm [6 along the engaged pin 13'. When the arm drops oif of the end of the engaged pin E3, the switch H is closed as indicated in full lines in Fig. 8. Under this condition the solenoids 33 and 33a are energized. This disengages the clutch plates 35 to stop the operation of the switch l1, and engages the clutch plates 30 to rotate the disc l2 until the succeeding pin l3 projecting therefrom is engaged by the arm l6 whereupon the switch H is opened to deenergize the solenoids 33 and 33a. Under this condition clutch plates 31 are engaged and clutch plates 30 are disengaged.

An additional modified form of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 9 when taken with the circuit diagram of Fig. 10. In this modification there is an indexing disc l2" driven by the nonsynchronous motor 9" through the gears 6" and l". The switch I'i" with its arm i6 is advanced along succeeding pins l3" by means of the plates of the clutch 44 which are driven by synchronous motor H". The switch I?" is mounted on a rotatable shaft 43 which terminates at one end in one of the clutch plates 44. The spring 46 normally holds the clutch plates 64 in engagement, while the solenoid 4'! is deenergiz-ed. When, however, the solenoid is energized it swings the pivoted link 48 counter-clockwise to disengage the clutch plates 44.

During the operation of this system, the synchronous motor It" is continuously energized from one side of the power supply Ll through the winding of the motor to the other side L2 of the power supply. Let it be assumed that the arm 16" is in engagement with one of the pins I3" so that the switch I? will be opened to the position indicated by the broken line. At this time the circuit of the non-synchronous motor 3" and of the solenoid ll will be open. Consequently the motor 3 will not operate and the solenoid 46 will deenergize. The spring 46 moves the link 48 of the solenoid to its normal position wherein the clutch plates 44 will be engaged. Thus the motor II will advance the switch ll" and its arm l6 along the engaged pin l3" until this arm drops ed the end ot the :pin. :results in the closureiof .thElSWitQh ,IJ as shown Fin :full lines, wh reupon-the solenoid 41 operates to disensaserthe clutch plates 4.4 to :S'Y-OD'ithGJXIOVBmCIUJ of theswitch 5H and atzthe. same ,timexthe motor 9" is energized :to index the .disc 12" until the switch arm t6" engages a succeeding pin 13" whereupon the circuit :is opened by the "switch H to stop the motor .5 and to deenergize the solenoid 6,-lv.he.reby the cycle of :oper-ationis :re= peatcd.

It will be understood that there loan-be other Variations .and modifications in the present in-3 vention, withinthe scopebf the following claims, zvithout departing from the spirit of the :invene .1011

This application is .:a continuationeinepart -.of a l cati n Serial :No. 193933, "filed November =3, 1950, now aband What I claim is;

1. In timing arran fiinent, anoutput'circuit, and'means for completing said-circuit ;to :a source of current comprising a shaft, a driving :motor for operating said shaft, a driving circuit for operating said motor, index mechanism including a member driven in synchronism with said shaft, adjustable indexing rods on said member, switching means engageable with said indexing rods in succession and including contacts movable from a normal position to an alternate position by engagement of the switching means with one of said rods, an interval motor for advance ing said switching means along given indexing rod until separated therefrom, and an operating circuit for said interval motor, said switching means alternately opening one of said driv- 1 1 circuits and closing the other in succession.

2. In a timing arrangement, a shaft, a driving motor for operating said shaft, a circuit for operating said motor, an index mechanism including a member mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, spaced elongated indexing elements on said member projecting for selected distances therefrom in a direction parallel to said shaft, switching means engageable with said indexing elements in succession and including contacts operated from a normal position to an alternate position by engagement of the switching means with one of said elements, an interval motor for advancing said switching means along any given indexing element until dropped from the end thereof, an operating circuit for said interval motor, said switching means alternately opening one of said circuits and closing the other in succession.

3. In a time cycle device, a shaft, control units actuated thereby, a motor for driving said shaft, a circuit for operating said motor, index mechanism including a member driven in a given plane in synchronism with said shaft, adjustable indexing elements on said member projecting in a direction at right angles to said plane, switching means engageable with said indexing elements in succession and including contacts operated from a normal position to an alternate position by engagement of the switching means with one of said elements, an interval motor for advancing said switching means along any given indexing element until separated therefrom, and an operating circuit for said interval motor, said switching means alternately opening one of said circuits and closing the other in succession.

4. In a time cycle device, a shaft, a motor for driving said shaft, a circuit for operating said motor, an index mechanism including a disc .6 drivenin synchronismswithsaidshaft, adjustable indexing elements on said .disc and projectin at-right tangles ito the ,principalplaneiof .said disc forselected-distances,therefromswitching means en agcable with said indexing elements sue-s cession .andincluding contacts :operable from .a normal :ppsiticn :to ,an alternate position by ten gagement-of "the switching means with one .ofjsaid elements, an interval ;motor for advancing said switching means along any given indexing :ele: ment "until the switching :means .disengag-es said element, an operating circuit for said internal motor, :said switching means alternately-opening one of said circuits and iclosingthelotheringsuce cession.

.35. In .a'e-time cycle device, &:Shaft,1a motor for driving :said shaft, a circuit for operating .said motor, .an index mechanism including a member mounted on said shaft for rotation ,ttherewith, spaced index-ing elements on said member projecting for selected distances therefrom in a direction :parallel to said shaft, switching means engageable with :said indexing elementsin succession andincluding contacts operated from .a normal position to ,analternate position by engagement .of the switching means with one of said elements, an interval l-motor for advancing said switching means along any given indexing clement until dropped from the end thereof, an operating circuit for said interval motor. said swi ch ng means alternately openin one cf said circuits and closin the other in succession.

;(i. :In a'timc cyclcdcvice, a shaft, .a m o for dri n said shaft, a i cii o perating said motor, an index mechan m includi a member dr ven .ina iven plane n nc ronisrn 1w, .1 said s aft, n ns elem nts sa d m mb pr icct ne for selected distance at ri ht an les to said plane, switching means engageable with said indexing elements in succession and including contacts operated from a normal position to an alternate position by engagement of the switch" ing means with one of said elements, an interval motor for advancing said switching means along any given indexing element to a point beyond the end thereof, and an operating circuit for said interval motor, said switching means alternately opening one of said circuits and closing the other in succession.

7. In a time cycle device, a rotatable indexing disc, a first mechanism for rotating said disc, a plurality of pins of adjustable lengths mounted in spaced relation around the margin of the disc to project at right angles to the principal plane thereof, a switch having a traveling actuator adapted to engage each pin in succession and to advance along the length thereof, a second mechanism for advancing said actuator, andmeans controlled by said switch for operating said first and said second mechanisms alternately in succession.

8. In a time cycle device, a rotatable indexing disc, a first mechanism for rotating said disc, a plurality of pins of adjustable lengths mounted in spaced relation around the margin of the disc to project at right angles to the principal plane thereof, a switch having contacts movable from a normal position to an alternate position, a traveling actuator operatively connected to said switch and adapted to engage each pin in succession thereby moving said contacts to their alternate position, a second mechanism for advancing said actuator along an engaged pin to the end thereof, and means controlled by said switch in the respective positions of its contacts for oper- 7 ating said first and said second mechanism-ale ternately in succession.

9. In a time cycle device, a rotatable indexing disc, a motor, a first clutch coupling the motor to said disc for operating the same, a plurality of pins of adjustable lengths mounted in spaced re' lation around the margin of thedisc to project at right angles to the principal plane thereof, a switch having contacts movable from a normal position to an alternate position, a traveling actuator operatively connected to said switch and adapted to engage each pin in succession thereby moving said contacts to their alternate position, a second clutch for coupling said motor to the actuator for advancing the same along an engaged pin to the end thereof, and means controlled by said switch in the respective positions of its contacts for operating said clutches a1- ternately in succession.

'10. In a time cycle device, a rotatable indexing disc, a motor, a first clutch coupling the motor to said disc for operatin the same, a plurality of pins of adjustable lengths mounted in spaced relation around the margin of the disc to project at right angles to the principal plane thereof, a switch having contacts movable from a normal position to an alternate position, a traveling actuator operatively connected to said switch and adapted. to engage each pin in succession thereby moving said contacts to their alternate position, a second clutch for coupling said motor to the actuator for advancing the same along an engaged pin to the end thereof, and means including solenoids controlled by said contacts for operating said clutches alternately in succession.

11. In a time cycle device, a rotatable indexing disc, a primary motor for rotating said disc, a circuit for operating said motor, a plurality of pins of adjustable lengthsmounted in spaced relation around the margin of the disc to project at right angles to the principal plane thereof, a switch having contacts movable from a normal position to an alternate position, a traveling actuator operatively connected to said switch and adapted to engage each pin in succession thereby moving said contacts to their alternate position, a second motor and a clutch coupling said second motor to said actuator for advancing the same along an engaged pin to the end thereof, and a solenoid operatively connected to said clutch for operating the same, a circuit for operating said solenoid, said circuits being controlled by said contacts.

12. In a time cycle device, a rotatable indexing disc, 2. first mechanism for rotating said disc, a plurality of pins of adjustable lengths mounted in spaced relation around the margin of the disc to project therefrom, a switch having a traveling actuator adapted to engage each pin in succession and to advance along the length thereof, a second mechanism for advancing said actuator, and means controlled by said switch for operating said first and said second mechanisms alternately in succession.

JAMES R. DAVIDSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,508,770 Blood Sept. 16, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 425,930 Great Britain Mar. 25, 1935 

